Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Being Customer-Focused with JJ Harrison
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Being Customer-Focused with JJ Harrison
Objectives:
- Hear JJ’s story of going from middle school teacher to world-class in his field- Tie JJ’s story and career to lessons learned about being Customer-Focused- Illustrate the impact of being customer-focused to positive influencing and delivering successful outcomes for others
Participant Bios:
- JJ Harrison grew up in Okanogan, Wash., where his love for the rodeo began. He took his passion to college with him and joined the rodeo team as a bull and bronco rider at Washington State University. Harrison taught science and social studies at a Walla Walla middle school for eight years.Though his love for the rodeo surpassed his passion for teaching, Harrison believes that his time in the classroom has influenced his witty and energetic act as a rodeo clown. “I’m a ball of energy that is quick witted and eager to find humor in every situation. I think it stems from natural ability and my experience in the classroom.”
His athletic high-energy antics have made him a five-time nominee for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Clown of the Year award, which is presented at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
In 2012, Harrison was selected to perform at the National Finals as the barrelman—a clown who hides inside a barrel to divert charging bulls. “The Nationals are like our Super Bowl,” he says. “It’s a huge feather in any cowboy’s hat, and a big highlight of my career.”
Harrison, who says he doesn’t drink but loves to party, also hosts the MGM Grand Gold Buckle Zone show during National Finals, where he often brings cowboy superstars on stage to meet and interact with the audience.
It all adds up to living a boyhood dream. “Being a rodeo clown is a high—you’ve got 9,000 people screaming and laughing with you, but not everyone there is rodeo savvy,” he says. “As an entertainer, I try to connect them to our sport. Put together that puzzle piece for the fan. I enjoy that.”
He made the transition to full-time clowning in 2008 and has since performed at rodeos in Florida, Hawaii, and everywhere in between. As one of the nation’s top rodeo clowns, Harrison’s act is booked nearly year-round. Not only does he entertain the audience during lulls in the program, he also protects injured cowboys during bull riding and other events. It’s his job to distract the bull while the fallen contestant limps out of the arena.
- Scott Linklater is a native of rural Washington having grown up in the heart of apple and cherry country in Okanogan. Scott has earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington State University, a master’s degree in adult education from the University of Idaho, and a doctorate degree in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.
Scott is a learning and development practitioner with experience directing training efforts at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and Red Lion Hotels Corporation. Currently, Scott is the Vice President – Learning Design at Northwest Farm Credit Services.
Scott has published books and academic research with a focus on leadership, employment, organizational development and trust in business.
Copyright © 2020 Northwest Farm Credit Services. All Rights Reserved.
View all episodes
By nwfcsleadershipinsights
5
55 ratings
Objectives:
- Hear JJ’s story of going from middle school teacher to world-class in his field- Tie JJ’s story and career to lessons learned about being Customer-Focused- Illustrate the impact of being customer-focused to positive influencing and delivering successful outcomes for others
Participant Bios:
- JJ Harrison grew up in Okanogan, Wash., where his love for the rodeo began. He took his passion to college with him and joined the rodeo team as a bull and bronco rider at Washington State University. Harrison taught science and social studies at a Walla Walla middle school for eight years.Though his love for the rodeo surpassed his passion for teaching, Harrison believes that his time in the classroom has influenced his witty and energetic act as a rodeo clown. “I’m a ball of energy that is quick witted and eager to find humor in every situation. I think it stems from natural ability and my experience in the classroom.”
His athletic high-energy antics have made him a five-time nominee for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Clown of the Year award, which is presented at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
In 2012, Harrison was selected to perform at the National Finals as the barrelman—a clown who hides inside a barrel to divert charging bulls. “The Nationals are like our Super Bowl,” he says. “It’s a huge feather in any cowboy’s hat, and a big highlight of my career.”
Harrison, who says he doesn’t drink but loves to party, also hosts the MGM Grand Gold Buckle Zone show during National Finals, where he often brings cowboy superstars on stage to meet and interact with the audience.
It all adds up to living a boyhood dream. “Being a rodeo clown is a high—you’ve got 9,000 people screaming and laughing with you, but not everyone there is rodeo savvy,” he says. “As an entertainer, I try to connect them to our sport. Put together that puzzle piece for the fan. I enjoy that.”
He made the transition to full-time clowning in 2008 and has since performed at rodeos in Florida, Hawaii, and everywhere in between. As one of the nation’s top rodeo clowns, Harrison’s act is booked nearly year-round. Not only does he entertain the audience during lulls in the program, he also protects injured cowboys during bull riding and other events. It’s his job to distract the bull while the fallen contestant limps out of the arena.
- Scott Linklater is a native of rural Washington having grown up in the heart of apple and cherry country in Okanogan. Scott has earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington State University, a master’s degree in adult education from the University of Idaho, and a doctorate degree in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.
Scott is a learning and development practitioner with experience directing training efforts at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and Red Lion Hotels Corporation. Currently, Scott is the Vice President – Learning Design at Northwest Farm Credit Services.
Scott has published books and academic research with a focus on leadership, employment, organizational development and trust in business.
Copyright © 2020 Northwest Farm Credit Services. All Rights Reserved.